• Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 1: Before the Storm

  • By: Michael Kube-McDowell
  • Narrated by: Anthony Heald
  • Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (261 ratings)

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Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 1: Before the Storm

By: Michael Kube-McDowell
Narrated by: Anthony Heald
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Publisher's summary

In the blockbuster best-selling tradition of Heir to the Empire comes this thrilling addition to the Star Wars saga, as peace gives way to a new threat.

It is a time of tranquility for the New Republic. The remnants of the Empire now lie in complete disarray, and the reemergence of the Jedi Knights has brought power and prestige to the fledgling government on Coruscant. Yesterday's Rebels have become today's administrators and diplomats, and the factions that fought against imperial tyranny seem united in savoring the fruits of peace.

But the peace is short-lived. A restless Luke must journey to his mother's homeworld in a desperate and dangerous quest to find her people. An adventurous Lando must seize a mysterious spacecraft that has weapons of enormous destructive power and an unknown mission. And Leia, a living symbol of the New Republic's triumph, must face down a ruthless leader of the Duskhan League, an arrogant Yevetha who seems bent on a genocidal war that could shatter the fragile unity of the New Republic - and threaten its very survival.

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©1996 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. (P)1996 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM.

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What listeners say about Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 1: Before the Storm

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Most unfulfilling Star Wars series I've read.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Not a Star Wars fan.

Would you ever listen to anything by Michael Kube-McDowell again?

Possibly.

What does Anthony Heald bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good job on multiple characters. Not perfect, but good discernment between characters.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

Any additional comments?

Three nearly completely disconnected story lines. These were also very short books. It should be one book. Don't waste your credits.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

nice attempt

great story.WHY didn't somebody correct Anthony Healds CONSTANT mispronunciation?! completely tears me outta the story...

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

The Force is elsewhere

This book does an effective job at establishing the setting for the Story, but you could just as easily skip to book three and not miss a thing.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

too much noise

way too many unnecessary sound effects and sounds not related to what was happening.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Acceptable

Not one of the best Legends books and honestly doesn't really feel like it fits with the rest of the series primarily because, it uses a lot of vocabulary that isn't seen elsewhere in Star Wars novels, such as referring to the Chief of State as "President".

The actual plot line is pretty interesting, as there is a large amount of political background throughout the novel and a larger emphasis on military strategy and tactics. It without a doubt leans more towards the Sci-Fi end of the Star Wars spectrum, rather than the more fantasy take that books such as Planet of Twilight delve into it.

Overall it's not bad, Anthony Heald isn't the best Star Wars narrator by any means but he's passable. The abridging was fine, but like always I wish it was just the full book.

Overall a 3/5. If you're trying to push through as much of the mainline post-ROTJ Star Wars Legends novels as you can like I am, than it's at least worth a look.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not the best story line

This is not the best story line. It makes no sense in the starwars universe I will move on from this series

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

poorly written

the dramatization is overdone with a poorly crafted plotline makes for a heavy read. The starwars universe is a rich tapestry on which to tell a story if you want.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Lackluster

This abridged version was bad. I feel like so much was left out. A few characters felt a little off and the story felt a little misguided and all over the place.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Ok

Story is ok, not great. Couple of the characters feel off. Narrator is good, but some of the voices just do not match characters and hard to tell if they are written poorly or if it is just the voice. Lando being one of the biggest ones I have issues with

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

very short. not worth a full credit

No where near the production value or length of other star wars books. in original Canon so I wanted to listen. I'd skip this series. so many other better ones.

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